Grave-marker.



No. 792,835. PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905. B. F. & G. W. LIVENGOOD.

GRAVE, MARKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.10.1905

UNITED STATES Patented June 20, 1905.

. PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. LIVENGOOD AND GEORGE W. LIVENGOOD, OF CENTER- VILLE, IOWA.

GRAVE-MARKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 792,835, dated June 20,1905.

Application filed February 10, 1905. Serial Noi 245,153.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN F. LIVEN- GOOD and GEORGE W. Livnneoon,citizens of the United States, residing at (Jenterville, in the countyof Appanoose and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Grave-Markers, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of this invention is to provide improvements in that class ofmarkers commonly used in cemeteries for indicating grave locations. Theusual construction of markers used for this purpose embodies a number ofparts made of stone, glass, composition, or the like, and under theordinary conditions of service freezing and consequent swelling of theground and thawing and settling of the earth naturally causes separationof the parts of the marker, so that in a few years the same ispractically dismantled.

The invention comprises a marker or monument which is composed of parts;but the said parts are so constructed that they will accom- WVhile theinvention may be adapted to dif-- ferent forms and conditions by changesin the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit oressential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown inthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of agravemarker comprising the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionalview bringing out more clearly the construction and arrangement of theseveral'parts' which compose the invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective viewof one of the transverse foundation-pieces.

Corresponding and like parts are referred derstood that the variousparts of the marker,

as shown in the drawings and as generally described, maybe of anyornamental configuration in order to conform with the whim and tastes ofthe purchaser, the general form of the markers being different in almostevery instance.

The invention comprises the usual headstone 1 and footstone 2, if it isdesired to use these parts, and the headstone is of course provided withsuitable inscriptive data generally provided thereon and indicating thedates of birth, decease, &c., of the person who is buried in the grave.The headstone and footstone, if used, are carried by the transversefoundation-pieces 3, which will be placed at the head and at the foot ofthe grave, said foundation-pieces being of peculiar form in order tosupport longitudinal or side pieces 4:, which are commonly disposed inspaced relation upon opposite sides of and extending the entire lengthof the burial-mound. The transverse foundation-pieces 3 may be of anysuitable material-stone, metal, or the like-and extending upwardly fromthe said pieces 3 at a point approximately intermediate of the endsthereof are vertical extensions 5. The extensions 5 of each of thefoundation-pieces 3 are designed to carry or-directly support theheadstone 1 and the footstone 2, and the preferred means for attachingthe stones 1 and 2 and the members 5 consist of a mortiseand-tenon jointtherebetween, the tenons 6 projecting upwardly from the extensions 5, so

as to be receivedin the mortises 7, provided in the members 1 and 2. Itis designed to utilize any suitable means for connecting the head andfoot stones to the extensions 5 with in the contemplation of theinvention, however. The foundation-pieces 3 Will ordinarily be entirelycovered by the earth and not be ing visible may therefore be of roughmaterial,though necessarily very substantial. At the ends of thefoundation-pieces 3 are formed upwardly projecting inwardly inclinedsurfaces 8, and the end portions of the side pieces 4 rest upon thefoundation-pieces 3 at points between the inclined surfaces 8 and theextensions 5. The side pieces 4 of the marker extend laterally at theends, as shown at 9, and abut with opposite sides of the extensions 5 ofthe foundation-pieces. In order to positively position the side pieces 4with relation to the foundation-pieces and obviate likelihood oflongitudinal play or movement, the laterallyextending portions 9 of theside pieces which abut with the extensions 5 have interlockingconnection with the extensionsin such a manner as to accomplish theresult above premised. To afford the interlocking connection between theside pieces 4 and the extensions 5, opposite sides of the extensions 5are provided with vertical tongues 10, the meeting or adjacent portionsof the side pieces 4 having grooves or vertical recesses 11, wherein thetongues 10 are received when the side pieces are in position upon thefoundation-pieces after the marker has been set up over the grave. Theconnection between the side pieces and the extensions 5 subserve thegeneral rigidity of the marker and increases the compactness of thearrangement in a manner readily apparent. The headstones and thefootstones when in position upon the extensions 5 are designed tooverlap the joint between said extensions of the side pieces 4in such amanner as to effectively house the joint and hide the same, so that suchwill not detract from the general appearance of the marker. 1

In the actual use of the invention the earth isof course receivedbetween the side pieces 4 of the marker when the latter has been placedover the grave, and in cold weather when the earth freezes and swellsthe side pieces 4 will naturally be forced apart and caused to rideupwardly upon the inclined su rfaces 8 of the foundation-pieces 3. Nowwhen the earth settles after being thawed out in warm weather the weightof the side pieces 4 will cause the same to gradually resume theiroriginal positions, said side pieces settling with the earth and slidingtoward the extensions 5 in a manner which will be readily apparent.

The structure of the parts is such that no growth is likely to spread increvices between the several pieces composing the marker and conduce tothe gradual destruction thereof, which is a common defect now existingin the markers .at present in use.

Having thus described the invention, what upon the foundation-pieces ata point between the extensions thereof and the inclined surfacesaforesaid.

3. A grave-marker comprising transverse foundation pieces provided nearthe ends thereof with upwardly-projecting inwardlyinclined surfaces,extensions projecting from the foundation-pieces, and side piecesresting upon the foundation-pieces at a point between the extensionsthereof and the inclined surfaces aforesaid, the side pieces havinginterlocking connections with the extensions above mentioned.

4. A grave-marker comprising transverse foundation pieces provided nearthe ends thereof with upwardly-projecting inwardlyinclined surfaces,extensions projecting from the foundation-pieces, and side piecesresting upon the foundation-pieces at a point between the extensionthereof and the inclined surfaces aforesaid, the side pieces andextensions having a tongue-and-groove connection.

5. A grave-marker comprising transverse foundation-pieces provided atthe ends thereof with upwardly-projecting inclined surfaces, extensionsprojected from the foundationpieces at a point between the ends thereof,said extensions being adapted to receive a head or foot stone, and sidepieces having the ends thereof resting upon the foundationpieces atpoints between the extensions and the inclined surfaces thereof, theside pieces being in abutting relation with the extensions, the meetingportions of the side pieces and extensions having a tongue-and-grooveconnection.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

BENJAMIN r. LIVENGOOD. [1,. s] GEORGE W. LIVENGOOI). [1 8.]

Witnesses MAUD PHILLIPS, EDNA DAVIS.

